Shrimp Scampi

When your pregnant and you want pasta -- you get pasta:

Now, being pregnant and just barely out of my first trimester, there are very few things that I can stomach these days.  My life saver throughout the first trimester (and let's be honest I am still queasy 4 months in) has been carbs.  Anything carbs stays down and keeps me and my baby full and happy.

So the past Sunday, when we were driving home from church and discussing what to have for dinner, I insisted that we have pasta.  But not the tomato and meatballs stuff we had the other night, but shrimp scampi!

On the drive home from church I stopped at the local grocery store and got everything I needed for shrimp scampi.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 of Spaghetti (we used wheat)
1 lb of Shrimp (or about 16 shrimp)
4 Tbs. of Butter
4 Tbs. of Olive Oil
2 Green Onions Chopped
2 Cloves of Garlic (chopped thinly)
1/2 cup of White Wine
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
Salt and Pepper
Parsley Chopped, to taste
Parmesan (to top)

Directions:

1.   Boil a large pot of water for the pasta -- Cook 6-8 minutes to al dente.   Drain and set aside.
2.  Season the shrimp with salt and pepper or any other seasoning you prefer.  (The Urban Farmer likes to season with brown sugar)
3.  In a large skillet over medium heat, melt two table spoons of butter with two tablespoons of olive oil and combine.   Saute the green onions and garlic until the green onions are translucent.

4.  Add the shrimp to the pan with the green onions and saute till the shrimp are pink and remove.  You are going to throw them back in at the end, so it is okay if they are not cooked all the way.

5.  Combine white wine and lemon into the pan and bring to a boil.
6.  Add your additional two tablespoons of butter and olive oil and bring to a simmer.  Stir to combine all ingredients.
7.  When the butter is melted, add the shrimp back in and cook five minutes.  Then add the pasta into the pan.  Add Parsley to taste.
8. Remove from the pan and place in a serving bowl.  Top with Parmesan cheese to taste and serve.

I served my shrimp scampi with homemade Italian bread and topped my pasta with LOTS of Parmesan cheese (you can never have too much cheese).

Let's just say the recipe was delicious and mommy and baby were pretty happy with this delicious shrimp scampi recipe.

God Does have a Plan

I fully believe that God does amazing things in people's lives and if something is meant to be it will happen.  My life over the last year is the perfect example of that.

At the end of June 2014, the Urban Farmer and I were settling into our lives together as husband and wife.  To be honest, not much changes from dating to being married, but we were enjoying our time together and our first month and a half of being married.

Although things were moving along and being newly weds was wonderful, the Urban Farmer and I were ready to move, yup, you got that MOVE!

Now, long before I met the Urban Farmer and while I was in college down in Florida the Urban Farmer bought a foreclosure, town home in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.  Since buying it, he had fixed the place up, and together we had made it our home.

But living in a 1200 square foot town home was not where we wanted to start our family.  But, living in the pricey, D.C. area offered few options for us young and live kids.  We could live farther and add onto our already 45 minute commute, or live closer and move from one town home to the next.  In a sense we were trapped by the Housing market with no relief in sight.

Then in July, my boss offered me a position in my company's Virginia Beach office.

While this sounded like a great opportunity, was I sure the Urban Farmer and I wanted to pick up our entire life and move to the other end of the state?  At first, the Urban Farmer was against the idea -- but as we thought about it more, it sounded like a great opportunity.

This was a great promotion for me and I really wanted to take it, but I was a newly wed, and now I couldn't take this promotion without the Urban Farmer on board.  So I began to pray that God would give me an answer on what the next step was.  I felt at a crossroads between my career and my marriage and although the Urban Farmer was my first priority I wanted to be able to "make and eat my cake too."  I needed an answer from God and a miracle.

I spent many of nights and time talking to God, praying and reflecting on this promotion.  I put all my faith in God and was sure that he would have an answer.

With moving, the Urban Farmer would have to find a new job in order to make this work -- and with the job market not as good as D.C. we thought that the results would be less than desirable for him. He had a good job, and had been with the company for over 6 years, and was happy.  With his job such a major factor -- the move looked like it wasn't going to go through.

And with God's amazing plan in our life, the next thing we know, the Urban Farmer found out that his company was opening a branch in Virginia Beach and if he wanted, he would have a job there.  It was a MIRACLE.

We were so blessed to have everything fall into place.  Within a month, everything came into place for the Urban Farmer and I to relocate to Virginia Beach.  God had done such an amazing thing in our lives and we were so happy that things worked out amazingly for us to move to Virginia Beach.

So in your own life, when you are feeling like nothing is going right, or that you are stuck at a crossroads my suggestion would be to put your faith in God, pray and know that He has a plan.  I have always found in my life when I give myself to Him he always has the answer.

My advice to you, when you are at a crossroads in your life or faced with a difficult decision, say a prayer and hand your life over to God and let Him put your plan together.

A Picture of us at our New Home in Virginia Beach

Will the Real Busy Girl Please Stand Up?

Now, unfortunately, I must admit something up front... as someone who wanted to share my story with the world, or just my friends and family near and far, I have failed you.  I have failed to really share who I am, my thoughts and my beliefs for one real reason, FEAR.

Now, I know that sounds pathetic and cowardly, but that is the real reason.  For fear of not being accepted, fear of "offending someone" or worst, fear of starting drama.

For these reasons, I must apologize.

But today, I leave that fear behind and come back as a more thoughtful and provocative writer.

Not someone scared of what others may think, but someone ready to share her thoughts, wisdom, funny stories and beliefs with the world.

I plan to devote myself to publishing the blemished, no make-up true Busy Gal.

Sometimes things won't be pretty, but I hope by sharing the truth and the real me, that I may write a blog that I actually enjoy to write and something that I am proud to share with the world.

I ask that you join me on this journey and be patient as I figure out life, love and blogging!

As I share my life with you, I hope that you catch on to my humor (sometimes I don't get it myself), accept me for my beliefs and join me in learning from my failures.  The truth and life are far from pretty, but it's the journey that makes it all worth it.

If nothing else, I hope that to those of you that visit me in my little home on the internet, feel the warmth and hospitality that I hope to provide to everyone whose paths I cross.

So, over the next couple of months, my little home on the internet will be going through some changes (Just like my home in real life, but we'll cover that later).  I ask that you be patient, give me positive feedback when deserved and try to sugar coat the bad feedback.

But for now, I welcome you to my internet home.  Feel free to be nosy and go through all my stuff (I do it in your home).

Thank you for sharing your time with me and allowing me to share my stories with you.


XOXO - The Busy Girl

Oh Hey There Stranger...

So, it is 10 at night, and as I toss and turn in my bed and listen to the gentle snoring of my husband, I remember that over three years ago I started a blog to chronicle my life, falling in love and everything in between.

Then, as I do with most of my responsibilities in my life -- I forgot about it.

Now here I am, three years later, with nothing to show for it but 70 posts on a blog that are providing un-solicited (and probably not doctor recommended) self-help from a person who see nothing wrong with spending an afternoon binge watching Netflix (we all do it... right?).

So, like I did in 2014 and 2013, I will attempt to revive my blog.

For the maybe three people in the world that enjoy my endless ramblings, you are welcome.

For the other five billion people in the world that will continue to live on never knowing that this little sliver of the internet exist, I hope that one day, for one second, this lover of life (that's ME) that we may cross paths on the internet or in real life and that we both for a second add something positive to each others lives.

But until we meet again, or I remember that I have a blog, I wish y'all good night!

Crock Pot Chicken Caeser Wrap

If there is one thing this Busy Girl likes more than Italian Dishes (and rum) it is EASY dinners.  With our crazy work hours and schedule the last thing in the world I like to do is make some CRAZY gourmet meal and spend ALL night cooking.  I hope you concur.  If you find time to make a gourmet meal AND do everything else in your day I would LOVE to know your secrets!

So, I LOVE chicken, and I LOVE Cesar salads.  So I tried to take an oldie and switch it up a bit.

What You'll Need:

3 Chicken Breast
1/2 Cup of Water
1/2 Cup of Caesar Dressing
1/4 Cup of Parmesan
A Couple Sprigs of Fresh Parsley
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Romaine Lettuce Diced
Wheat Tortilla

Directions:

1) Place the 3 Chicken in a Crock Pot with 1/2 a Cup of Water.  Season with Salt and Pepper to taste.

2) Turn the Crock Pot on Low and Set for 3 hours.
3) Take two forks and pull the chicken apart to let it shred.
4) Once shredded, add the Caesar Dressing, Parmesan, Parsley and Salt and Pepper to taste and combine.

5) Keep the Crock Pot on "Keep Warm" and let sit for an hour.
6) When you're ready to eat, heat up the tortilla.  Place the lettuce on the tortilla and top with chicken.
7) Roll-up and ENJOY!

What is your favorite Crock Pot Recipe?  

Pesto Bruschetta Chicken

My Italian self has been CRAVING pesto I knew that it was that time again to start cooking up something Italian.

Now, because it is June, and I spend every weekend in a bikini, I thought for my sake (and the sake of everyone who may see me in a bikini) that a pasta heavy meal was not in the cards.  So, I thought to mix an old recipe with some of our 2013 variety pesto, to make some Pesto Bruschetta Chicken.  

Normally I would take you through a picture tour, but since I forgot, we're forgetting the picture book today, I hope you forgive me...

Here is what you will need:

3 Chicken Boneless Chicken Breast

6 Ounces of Pesto

1/2 Cup of Fresh Grated Mozzarella (you can use the bag stuff.... I won't tell)

1/2 Cup of Cherry Tomatoes

Olive Oil

Balsamic Vinegar to taste

Directions:

1. Generously cover the bottom of a casserole dish with olive oil.

2. Use a knife to butterfly (cut in half longways) the chicken.  Place the chicken breast in the oiled casserole dish.

3. Divide the pesto in half.  Take a spoon and generously cover the inside of the chicken with pesto.  Fold the chicken and place the remaining pesto on top of the chicken.

4.  Place the tomatoes on top of the pesto with mozzarella.

5. Cover your casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.  Depending on your stove, it may take an additional 5 to 30 minutes to cook the chicken thoroughly.

6.  When the chicken is cooked thoroughly (No pink  or translucent appearance when the chicken is cut in half.  The chicken should feel firm and have no hint of rubbery feel to it when poked.) pull it out of the oven and allow it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.  

7.  Before serving, top with balsamic vinegar to taste.

The Urban Farmer and I enjoyed this dish with a side Greek salad, some Italian bread and wine.   

Results:

The Urban Farmer is REQUIRING me to make this for him AGAIN.  We both enjoyed this dish!  And most importantly, I got my Italian kick.

Tonight, I can go to bed knowing that all is right in the world.

What is your favorite Italian Dish?  What have you been craving lately?

How the Busy Girl became the Busy Wife

How the Busy Girl became the Busy Wife ...

And Other Wives Tales (and excuses) on why I have Neglected my Blog

A long time ago, I was just some gal in my early twenties who thought it was a GREAT idea to start a blog and chronicle my crazy, beautiful life.  Well hear I am, over two years and 67 posts later, and I am still working on getting my blog started.  Some may call it an epic fail, but for me, I like to think of it like a diet -- Every time you fall of the wagon, you gotta get back up and try again!

So here I am today round 3 (or maybe 4, 5 or 6) of reviving my Blog.

But in all honesty, I have been VERY busy.  Last time I wrote on here I was just some young Busy Girl, trying to figure out life and love, today I write you as a Busy Wife who is STILL trying to figure out life and love  (and now MARRIAGE).  But I hope that as I navigate through this crazy beautiful life, you come along for the ride.  Sometimes you may laugh, other times you may cry.  Or you may just find that in 2 weeks I stop posting on here again (if so, I am sorry I have wasted your time, yet again) but in the end I hope that by sharing my ups and downs, you laugh at my jokes, cry when I fail and in the end we both learn a little from each other.

XOXO,
The Busy Wife


(Love our wedding photos?  Check out Gronde Photography -- they are AMAZING!)